*~*
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. The PLOT is mine.
*~*
EDITING COMPLETED: 4/10/2004
*~* Chapter Six *~*
International Hercule Day Part Three:
The Dance
Marron skipped into Gohan's room clutching a teddy bear to her chest. When she caught sight of him, she grinned. "You look hot, Gohan!"
He flushed. "Where'd you get the word 'hot' from?"
"Master Roshi!"
Gohan chuckled and straightened the collar of his white shirt, then tucked it into his pants. "You shouldn't hang around him so much," he advised, concerned about the little girl's moral welfare.
She giggled. "He's funny!"
"So," Gohan spun around. "How do I look?"
"Stupid!"
He frowned. "But . . . you just said that I looked hot."
"That was before you tucked in your shirt. Now you look like my Dad when he goes out with Mommy."
"Ah . . . so I look old?"
The little girl laughed again. "Yep!"
"Okay then." Gohan fixed his shirt. "How's that?"
Marron grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room where Bulma, Chichi and Juuhachi were having some tea. "TADA!!!!!!!!!" she exclaimed, presenting Gohan to the adults.
"You look great, Gohan. But let me fix one thing . . ." Bulma walked up to him and undid the first few buttons of his shirt. "That's better. It always works on Vegeta."
Stars appeared in Chichi's eyes. She set down her cup of tea and picked up a camera. "I have to get a picture of this! Now smile, Gohan!" There was a bright flash when Chichi took the picture.
Bulma smiled. "Now, if we want an UNBIASED opinion, we need to go to Juuhachi," she said, knowing that the 'android' would tell the truth. "How does Gohan look?"
Juuhachi eyed him seriously, making Gohan nervous. "He looks good," she said in her usual monotone voice.
Chichi gave her son a big hug. "Well, then. Now that you've passed the inspection, you'd better be off. You've got money, right?"
Gohan patted his pocket left. "Yes."
"Good. Make sure you get a picture taken at the dance. I want to see it!"
Gohan smiled at his mother and kissed her forehead. "Of course. I'll be back by one, at the latest. See you later." He flew off, leaving his mother crying into the shoulder of Bulma, mumbling something about her son becoming a man.
*~*
"Stay STILL, Videl, or I'll get this stuff all over your face!" cried Erasa as she steadily applied lipstick to Videl's lips.
With an exasperated sigh, she did as she was told. When Erasa sat back, recapping the lipstick, Videl wondered how anyone could like putting on makeup. It itched, was heavy and the lipstick tasted nasty. Anyone looking at her could probably tell that she had a ton caked on.
"Are you done yet? I want to put on the dress," moaned Videl. "Gohan will be here soon."
Erasa rolled her eyes. "Relax. We've got plenty of time. Now, should we do the hair BEFORE we put on the dress, or after?" she asked, taking a step back to eye her work.
"I'm beginning to regret that I called you over here," mumbled Videl.
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Let's put on the dress after you do my hair. You're not going to do anything . . . extravagant with it, are you?"
"No. Just put a few curls in." Erasa plugged her hot curler into the wall and began to curl the ends of Videl's thick hair. Ten minutes later, Erasa switched off the curler and sprayed something from an aerosol can onto her hair. "There! That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Videl moved to her closet and removed the red gown that she'd splurged on just that afternoon and a pair of matching red pumps, which she'd also just bought.
Erasa raised an eyebrow when she caught sight of Videl's dress. It was stunning, and she was surprised that Videl had picked it out, and all by herself. "You really went all out, didn't you?"
The other girl flushed. "Gohan and I have . . . come to an understanding. He's not as bad as I originally thought. We actually have a lot in common."
Videl slipped out of her other clothes and out on the dress. "Can you zip me up in the back Erasa?"
Once that was completed, Videl took a look in the mirror. "I didn't know the split was this high," she groaned, glancing at the amount of exposed skin.
Erasa laughed. "Didn't you try on the dress?"
"No. It was perfect, so I just bought it. Besides, it wasn't really my money- it was Dad's."
"Never mind about the split . . . Videl, girl, you're gonna knock 'em dead! Look at yourself!"
"I am."
"And what do you see . . .?"
"A . . . an absolutely gorgeous girl! Me!" Videl twirled around, admiring herself from back to front. She admired the way the dress hugged her upper body, then flared out slightly at the bottom. The shoes looked great with the spectacular dress. And to her surprise, Videl saw that the makeup was barely noticeable, except for Erasa's wonderful work on with the eye shadow. She reached up to touch her hair. It was very soft and she found that she liked the loose curls at the end.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Erasa," said Videl as she gave her best friend a hug. She jumped slightly when the doorbell rang.
"I bet that's Gohan!" shrieked Erasa. She grabbed Videl's hand and led her down the stairs and into the foyer of her huge mansion. She threw open the door and frowned when she saw Sharpner standing there in a hideous white pimp suit.
"What are you doing here?" asked Erasa.
"I came to take Videl to the dance," he answered, inviting himself into the mansion, leaving the door wide open. His eyes fell upon Videl standing just behind Erasa. "Wow . . . you look great!"
She glared at him. "I'm going with Gohan. You know that."
Sharpner laughed. "Like that bookworm's going to show! You'd be better off coming with me. I know how to treat a lady."
"Really? Then why is GOHAN getting out of that limo?" snickered Erasa.
"WHAT?!" Sharpner shrieked as he turned to look out of the door. How had Son Gohan managed to get a fancy limo like that?
Gohan approached the door with a dozen roses in a crystal vase his hand. "Hey, Erasa. Is Videl ready?" he asked, stepping onto the porch of Videl's mansion.
Erasa grinned. "Yes, she is."
Videl took this as her cue and stepped from behind Erasa, a shy and hesitant smile on her face. "Hello, Gohan."
The young Saiyan stared in shock. Was this beauty standing in front of him really Videl? "Hi . . . gee, you look great."
She smiled at him and gave him a once over. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Gohan blushed, then looked down at the roses. "Oh, these are for you."
Videl took both of the gifts. "Thanks. Do you mind taking these upstairs for me, Erasa?" She handed her friend the roses. "Shall we be going then?"
He nodded and took her arm. "See you two at the dance!" he called out.
Sharpner watched as the two entered the limo and drove off. "Damn him! Videl's MY girl!"
Erasa giggled. "Doesn't look that way now!"
*~*
Videl was blushing as Gohan pulled her chair away from the table. "You don't have to do that," she muttered. "I thought we were here as friends."
Gohan smiled and waited until she'd sat in the chair to push her up to the table. "We are." He took his own seat and picked up the menu that sat in front of him.
Videl looked around, then stared down at the fancy decorations on the table. She picked up her knife, which she suspected was made of real silver, and raised an eyebrow. "How in the world did you get reservations here? This restaurant is the most exclusive one in town."
Gohan looked up from his menu. "A friend of mine hooked me up. She also got me the limo."
"Who?"
"Bulma Briefs, owner of Capsule Corporation."
Videl blinked several times. "You know Bulma Briefs? Wow. You know, she's even richer than my Dad."
He chuckled. "You probably met her at the parade. She was the woman with the blue hair, the one with the big muscled guy . . ."
"Oh, her. Yeah, I remember her. Especially her guy. That's her husband right?"
"Yeah. Why do you remember him in particular?"
Videl told him about what had happened after the building had exploded earlier that day. "He held me back so that I couldn't get close to the conference center when it blew up."
"Are you SURE he did that?" asked Gohan. "Vegeta isn't the one to do that sort of thing."
"So his name is Vegeta . . . I'm absolutely sure he did that."
Gohan laughed. He DOES care. "Vegeta and my Dad weren't exactly the best of friends. I don't think he likes me very much, either."
Videl shook her head. "You've got some weird friends, Gohan."
Oh, boy . . . she has no idea . . .
A waiter stepped up to their table, a menu in hand. "Good evening. Are you ready to order?"
Gohan realized that they hadn't had time to look over the menu while they were talking. He opened his menu and picked two random dishes, both with some sort of fancy names. Videl ordered a steak and some vegetables.
Once the after left, Videl turned to Gohan. "Do you know what you ordered?"
He shook his head. "Do you?"
She began to laugh. "No!" The two laughed together, then fell into an awkward silence.
"So," began Gohan. "Let's talk."
"About what?"
"You," he said, a sly grin on his face.
"Ha, ha. Very funny." Videl rolled her eyes.
"No, I'm serious. I want to know about your family. Maybe it'll help if you talk about your parents."
Videl sighed and placed her hands in her lap. "Okay. Umm . . . My mother divorced my Dad when I was just five. I, of course, was heartbroken. I wanted to live with my mother, but she didn't want me. So, for six years, I lived with my Dad. We lived off of prize money that he won in different tournaments. We always had money, but I often wished that he'd get a REAL job, like other kid's parents. Then came along Cell . . ." Videl paused, then laughed bitterly. "This is when it got bad. My mother tried to come back when she found out that Dad had defeated Cell and was making tons of money."
"Oh, man. That must have been rough . . ."
"It was. Both of my parents tried to use me as a pawn in their stupid game, but I caught on and tried to avoid them both. Dad told my mom her to get lost. I never saw her again. But then, Dad started drinking. I think that, deep down, he still loved my mother, and was disappointed to learn that she only wanted him for some money. But that doesn't mean that he has to try to make MY life a living hell, does it? I can't wait until I graduate from high school. Then I can get out of that house for good."
Gohan frowned, watching the different emotions- anger, sadness and sorrow, play out on her face. "Maybe this isn't the best conversation to be having over dinner . . ."
To his surprise, Videl smiled. "Are you kidding? I feel a lot better now that I've gotten that off of my chest. I'm finally beginning to trust you."
"Uh . . . thanks."
"Now it's your turn. I've told you my story, now I want to hear yours."
Gohan didn't know where to start. "Um . . . what exactly is it that you want to know?"
"Well, for one thing, you haven't told me your father's name."
"Son Goku."
She gapped at him. "You mean, THE Son Goku?"
Gohan nodded nervously. "Why do you ask?"
"I should have noticed the connection. I've watched all of the old tapings of the past World Tournaments. Your Dad entered a few times, right? And he did really well."
"Yeah, he entered in a few."
Videl eyed the boy sitting across from her. "So then you MUST know something about martial arts. Your Dad was pretty good."
"I know a little . . ."
"Maybe I'll challenge you to a fight one day. It would be interesting to see who'd win. Although it would probably be me," Videl said confidently.
Gohan chuckled. "I wouldn't bet on that . . ."
"Oh, yeah? I'll show you someday, Gohan. You just wait."
"Ohhhhh, I'm SCARED!!" he teased.
"You should be!" Videl grinned. "I'm telling you, I'd beat your a-"
"Well, well, well. Isn't this cute?" sneered a familiar voice.
Videl looked up to see her second worst enemy- with Saiyaman holding the first place spot- standing next to their table.
"Angela, what a nice surprise . . ." murmured Videl, hiding her disgust. Angela was the most popular girl in school. She thought that her title gave her the right to talk about others. It was common knowledge around Orange Star High that she wanted to go out with Gohan.
Angela Lockwood tossed her thick blond hair over her shoulder. "Isn't it?" She turned to Gohan. "What are you doing here with HER?"
"That sounded like and insult," said Videl as she thought about ripping the girl's pretty blond hair out of her head.
"Maybe it was."
"WHAT?!"
"I'm just saying that a popular guy like Gohan shouldn't be hanging around a social outcast like YOU," Angela said snootily.
"Social OUTCAST? I'm the daughter of Hercule and-"
"It's alright, Videl." Gohan turned to Angela. "Our names came out of the homeroom draw box. We're going to the dance after dinner."
"Ah. That explains it. I'm sorry you got paired with her."
"Actually, Videl and I are having a great time. I'm really enjoying myself," Gohan said honestly.
"Really? I suppose you're just trying to make the best of things. Save me a dance tonight, Gohan. I'll see you later."
"Bye Angela."
Videl glared at the girl as she left. "Uhh! She makes me so MAD!! And why were you being so nice to her when she was CLEARLY looking for a fight?!"
"I wanted to prevent a cat fight from breaking out in this nice restaurant, that's all," Gohan replied. "I know you don't like her."
"Cat fight? What is that supposed to mean?" Videl snapped.
"Nothing. Just forget I said that." Gosh . . . she's going to kill me for that! "Oh, look! Here comes our food!"
The waiter set the plates down before them, then left. Videl stared at the slimy goo on one of Gohan's plates. "That looks so gross . . ."
Gohan had to agree. "Well . . . I might as well try it . . ." He poked at the glob with his fork, then picked up his knife and cut a piece off of it.
Videl wrinkled her nose as she watched Gohan take a bite of the goo.
"WOW! This is good. Try some!" exclaimed Gohan. He cut away another piece and held the fork up to Videl. "Go on."
Videl stared down at the fork. She was no longer concerned about the fact that Gohan wanted her to eat some goo. All she could think about was the fact that he'd eaten off of the very same fork and that him offering her some food the way he did was very . . . unnerving and seductive. She knew that Gohan was offering her some of his dish with only pure thoughts in his head.
So she leaned forward and slowly put her mouth around the fork. Without meaning to, she glanced up at Gohan. She was surprised to see that he was staring down at her with a strange look on his face. Their eyes met and held until Gohan slowly removed the fork from her mouth, cleared his throat and sat back in his chair.
Videl, for probably the first time in her life, blushed. She began to eat her food, her mind whirling. He probably thinks I'm some sort of freak now. Well, it's his fault! He shouldn't have offered me his food like that! He was asking for it!
"So what did you think?"
Videl dropped her fork. "Huh? What? Did you say something, Gohan?"
He smiled at her. "I asked if you liked the stuff I just gave you."
"Oh. Uh . . . very much. It was good."
"Would you like some more?"
"NO! Um, I'll pass, thank you."
The two continued to eat, stopping on occasion to speak to each other. Trouble arose when Gohan was just about to ask the waiter for their check.
"ALRIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!! GET UP OUTA YOUR SEATS AND KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE 'EM!!!" cried a man with a huge gun in his hand.
Gohan and Videl stood up and eyed the crook warily as he went through the restaurant, telling people to hand over their money and jewelry.
"I can't even go out to dinner without having to fight some sort of crime," she grumbled. But how was she going to do anything in her tight dress?
Gohan was considering taking down the guy when the cook moved over to their table. He pointed the gun at Videl and said, "Your turn, pretty lady. Empty your purse."
My . . . purse . . . Videl turned her back to the guy, reaching for her purse that sat on the other side of the table. She shot Gohan a quick, reassuring glance and began to dig around in her bag. "Hold on . . . I've got some money around here somewhere . . ."
The crook let out a sigh, then pointed the gun at Gohan but kept his eyes on Videl. "Gimme your money, boy."
Videl turned back to the crook. "Here you go!" She raised the tiny bottle of pepper spray to the guy's face and emptied the canister into his eyes.
He roared out in pain, dropping his gun. Gohan kicked it out of his grasp. "BITCH!!!!!" cried the crook.
Videl placed a firm elbow in his stomach, then knocked him out with a powerful punch to the head.
After everything settled down and the bad guy had been hauled away by the cops, Gohan turned to Videl and asked, "Pepper spray?"
She grinned. "Erasa gave it to me. Just in case, she said. I told her that I could take care of myself, but . . ."
Gohan laughed. "Well, we'll have to remember to thank her when we see her at the dance, hmm?"
The manager of the restaurant came up to them. "Your meal is on the house," he said, "for stopping that man. Thank you."
"All in a day's work," said Videl. "Now if you'll excuse us . . . we have a dance to get to!"
*~*
Gohan and Videl arrived outside of the school twenty minutes later, at seven fifteen. They could hear the music pumping at full blast from inside the gym. They went around the side of the gym where the entrance was.
When they got there, they debated on whether or not Gohan was going to buy Videl's way into the dance.
"What's wrong with me buying your way, Videl? I was going to pay for dinner," said Gohan.
"Well, I WAS going to tell you that I would pay for my own dinner but the manager said it was free! And what's wrong with me buying my own way?"
"Just let me pay for you, Videl. I'm supposed to be taking you out."
"This isn't a date!" she cried.
"But-"
"How about I decide this?" said the teacher who was taking the money and letting students into the gym. He'd been watching the debate with interest. "Since you're the daughter of Hercule, Videl, you get in free. And since you're her date, Gohan, you get in free too. How's that sound?"
Gohan gave the teacher a smile and took Videl's arm. "Great. Thanks!"
The minute the two stepped into the gym, all eyes were on them. The dancing almost completely stopped on the dance floor. All conversation halted for about thirty seconds, then continued at full blast.
"What's their problem?" muttered Videl as she and Gohan made their way throughout the gym, searching for an empty table. "Never mind. Stupid question. I guess no one really expected me to show up."
"I'm glad you decided not to bail on me. Then I wouldn't have a date."
"For the last time, Gohan, we're NOT on a-"
"Date. Yes, yes, I know. I was just joking," he chuckled.
"HEY GOHAN! VIDEL! OVER HERE!!" shouted Erasa over the music. The led them to a vacant table where Sharpener joined them.
"You look very nice tonight, Erasa," said Gohan politely. "I like your dress."
She looked down at her short Hawaiian printed dress. "Thanks! It's just something I pulled out of my closet. So, how was dinner? Tell me all the juicy details."
Videl rolled her eyes. "There are no juicy details. Besides the fact that Angela Lockwood showed up and some crook interrupted dinner-"
"Are you telling me you had to fight in that dress? How . . ."
Gohan laughed, remembering the incident. "Videl used some pepper spray you go her. It worked wonders."
Erasa giggled. "I'm glad that I could help. It sounds like you two had a good time."
"We did," answered Videl.
Sharpner growled in disgust. An idea formed in his head as a slow song began to play. I bet Gohan can't dance. Let's see he does on the dance floor. "Why don't you two dance?" suggested Sharpner, eager to see Gohan embarrass himself.
"Well . . ." muttered Videl as she gazed out at the people on the dance floor. The other people were moving so gracefully. She didn't think that she could do it.
Sensing her hesitation, Gohan pulled Videl to her feet and led her out on the dance floor.
"This shouldn't be that hard," said Videl. "Slow dancing is just swaying from side to side."
Gohan shook his head. "No way! You've got to FEEL the music, Videl. Listen to the lyrics, feel the emotions in the song."
"You've got to be kidding, right?"
"No, I'm not. Come on. Focus on the beat of the music. Listen to the singer's emotions and FEEL them . . ."
If you're lonely
And need a friend
And troubles seem like
They never end . . .
Videl closed her eyes and listened closely to the lyrics. She was surprised at how they described her relationship with Gohan perfectly.
Just to remember to keep the faith
And love will be there to light the way . . .
Gohan smiled when he saw the way her body began to sway back and forth. He could tell by her concentration that she was feeling the music now. He took her into his arms and moved out onto the dance floor.
Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright
Videl wrapped her arms around Gohan's neck and buried her head in his shoulder. She felt warm in safe in his arms . . . She didn't want him to let go of her.
When the shadows are closing in
And your spirit diminishing
Just remember you're not alone
And love will be there
To guide you home . . .
Gohan rested his chin in Videl's soft hair and placed his hands gently on her hips. They moved to the music together, in perfect harmony. Gohan, to his surprise, liked having Videl in his arms. At that moment, he didn't know what that meant, and he didn't really care.
Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
Don't you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright
If you just believe in me
I will love you endlessly
Take my hand
Take me into your heart
I'll be there forever baby
I won't let go
I'll never let go
Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
It's alright
It's alright . . .
People began to clap and hoot when the song ended. Apparently, all eyes had been on the star couple. Videl and Gohan flushed and stepped off of the dance floor as fast as they could.
Just before they reached their table, Angela stepped in front of them. She didn't look too happy. "How about we dance now, Gohan?" she asked.
"I . . . uh . . . I've gotta go take a picture with Videl. Maybe later?" Gohan took Videl's hand and lead her in the other direction.
"I have to admit, Gohan, dancing is fun. And you're really good. I thought you said you didn't know how to dance."
"It runs in my blood," was all he said. He led her over to the little arch where pictures were being taken. There was no one in line, so they were able to get theirs done quickly.
The photographer was excited to be able to take a picture of Videl and said that the photos would be free and that they'd get to do more than one pose.
"Alright, kids, for the first pose, lets have you two stand next to each other. Good, good. Now, Videl, you take this young man's arm . . . great! Now hold it!" There was a bright flash.
"Okay. Second pose." The man stared at them for a long time. "I've got it!" He pulled some white flowers out of nowhere. He handed them to Gohan. "Now you pretend you're giving her the flowers. I want you both to have your hands on the bouquet, yours on the bottom and Videl's on the top. EXCELLENT!!! Now turn your bodies a bit to face the camera . . . that's it! Now stand still . . ."
As the photographer dashed to get behind his camera, Videl looked up at Gohan though her lashes to find that he was staring down at her with a smile on his face. God, he's handsome . . . Why didn't I notice that before?
These two are the ideal models. You can tell they're in love, thought the photographer. Look at the way they're looking at each other . . . He quickly took the picture.
The photographer turned to Gohan and Videl. "I'll have your pictures ready by the end of the night."
"Can you do that?" asked Videl.
"I sure can! I'll have my buddy get them ready. You two are so cute. Young love . . ."
Gohan flushed furiously. "Oh, it's not like that!!"
"No, it's not," said Videl.
"Ah. SURE. Now you kids run along and have a good time tonight."
As they walked away, Gohan shoved his hands into his pockets. "Everyone seems to think we're more than friends."
"Which is absolutely ridiculous," added Videl, her arms crossed over her chest. After a moment of thought, she said, "How about we dance some more, Gohan?"
"That is why it's called a dance!" He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.
*~*
Hours later, Videl told Gohan of her curfew. He looked down at his watch. "Then we'd better be going, huh?"
"I guess." Videl looked around. She didn't want to leave. Not yet. She was having too much fun. Together they said goodbye to Sharpner and Erasa and made their way towards the exit.
The photographer almost ambushed the two before they could leave. "I caught you two!!" He shoved two thick packets into each of their hands. "I made twenty wallets of each pose, and ten of each other size. Ten for each pose, may I remind you."
A sweat drop rolled down the back of Gohan's head. "That must have cost a fortune. Let me pay you for some of it."
"NO!!!! I'm just glad that I had the chance to photograph the two of you!!!!"
Videl smiled. "Well, we really appreciate it. Thank you."
"No problem! The only thing I ask is that you call me up when you guys set a date for your wedding so that I can take pictures. My number's in the packet."
Gohan turned beet-red. "We'llbesuretodothatthanksagainwegottago!! Bye!!!" He took Videl's hand and ran out of the gym.
They hopped into the limo and it took off.
"Gosh . . . a perfect stranger asking us when our wedding is . . . GEE!!" exclaimed Gohan as he tried to get a hold of himself.
"This IS getting a little out of hand," replied Videl. Then she laughed. "But you should have seen the look on your face when the photographer said that! It was priceless!"
Gohan gave her a look. "That's not funny."
"Yes, it was!! I-I wish y-you could''ve seen . . ." She couldn't finish her sentence as she erupted in a fit of giggles.
Gohan gave her a look and Videl forced back her laughter.
"Don't take it that seriously," said Videl. "You have to admit, it was sort of funny . . ."
"I guess . . ."
They fell into a comfortable silence that lasted for the remainder of the ride. When the limo stopped in front of the Hercule mansion, Gohan got out, went around the limo and opened Videl's door. She stepped out.
When they stepped out onto the porch, Videl placed a hand on Gohan's arm.
"Before I go in . . . I just want to tell you that I had a great time, Gohan. I don't think I've had so much fun in one day in my life. Tonight has been an adventure all it's own."
He smiled at her. "It has, hasn't it? And I had a great time, too."
"That's good." Videl looked down at her feet, unsure of what to do or say next.
Gohan, caught up in the moment, acted without thinking. His actions seemed to be pure instinct as he placed his hand underneath her chin and tilted her face up. Keeping his eyes on her lips, he gently kissed her.
It was a feathery soft kiss- their lips barely touched. But Videl began to tingle all over, despite that. She blushed and took a tiny step back, noticing the red tint in Gohan's cheeks.
Before either of them could act, the door flew open.
"You're home, Videl," stated her father. He turned to Gohan. "You must've been her date. You're kinda puny, kid."
"Dad . . ." growled Videl.
"Never mind. Get into the house, Videl. It's late"
Videl rolled her eyes and did as she was told. "Bye, Gohan. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
"See you later," he replied, his hands in his pocket.
Hercule watched as the two stared at each other with 'secretive' smiles on their faces. What did those two do tonight? If I found out they did something they weren't supposed to, I'll . . .
Hercule shut the door in Gohan's face.
*~*
After chewing out her Dad for slamming the door in Gohan's face, Videl went up to her room. When she got inside, she undressed and changed into a soft pair of pajamas. She dug around for an eight-by-eleven picture frame. She found one under her bed. It held a picture of her mother.
She took out the old photo and put in one of the photos of the second pose that the nice photographer had given her. Videl placed the frame onto the table next to her bed and stared at it for a while.
It has been a magical night . . . Too bad it has to end.
"Goodnight, Gohan," she whispered and turned off her light.
*~*
When Gohan arrived at his home, it was very late. Instead of using Instant Transmission, he'd opted to fly home. It gave him time to think.
Gohan unlocked the front door and stepped inside. He smiled, catching a glimpse of his mother lying asleep on the couch.
She must've been waiting up for me . . .
Gohan gave his mother a kiss on the forehead, then headed to his room, stopping to peek in on Goten, who was also fast asleep in his bed.
He took off his clothes and changed into a pair of sweat pants, his mind on the 'date' he'd had with Videl. He'd had fun, and he was sure that Videl had too.
The 'date' had given them both time to forget their worries.
But now he was back in the Son household, and all of his problems washed over him alike an incoming tide. Gohan felt a little guilty for having a good time on the anniversary of his father's death.
"He wouldn't have wanted you to mope around the house," he could almost hear his mother say. She'd told him that so many times before, but he'd never really believed her until now.
I guess Mom's right. After all, Dad was a fun loving guy- when he wasn't fighting evil, of course.
Gohan felt his guilt eventually drift away. He sighed and turned off his light, falling into peaceful slumber.
Next Chapter: Gohan's class goes on a field trip to Capsule Corp. then spends the rest of the day in the city. Both Videl and Angela are competing for Gohan's attention throughout the trip. Who will win?
